Why orthodoxy isn’t enough
Aug. 7 2007I’m committed to humble orthodoxy because orthodoxy isn’t enough.
Mere orthodoxy, mere correctness of doctrine, mere mental knowledge of biblical truth, isn’t enough to drive what I’m called to do as a man, husband, father, pastor, and missionary to the San Francisco Peninsula. Let me explain.
James 2 gives one of Scripture’s sharpest statements that God wants his people to operate with something more than mere orthodoxy, for even non-Christians, even enemies of God, can be orthodox: “Even the demons believe…” (James 2:19). James 2:19 is our reason why orthodoxy needs an adjective. I suppose we could place many different adjectives in front of the word “orthodoxy” which would help us move beyond the useless “demon orthodoxy” of James 2. Maybe what we need is “obedient” orthodoxy? Maybe what Christ wants from us is a “passionate” orthodoxy? Or “purpose-driven” orthodoxy?
It would seem to me that “humble” is the most appropriate adjective for describing the kind of orthodoxy the Bible calls Christians to cultivate. Though I became a Christian when I was just a young boy, I’ve lived most of my life with an aversion to humility. Until a few years ago, just hearing the word “humble” caused allergic reactions. My pride runs deep. I’m the kind of guy, the kind of Christian, who thinks he has what it takes to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and go out and live with an obedient, passionate, purpose-driven orthodoxy that pleases God, blesses my family, turns heads, converts thousands, and causes others to be really impressed with me…and maybe also with God.
Though I probably still woke up this morning with that same default, prideful frame of mind, humility has become attractive to me. The aversion has melted. I now hear the adjective “humble” and I’m drawn in. I want this word to mark my life. There are two reasons for this: failure and Jesus. I’ve come to realize that left to myself, I’m not much better than the demons. I can fill my mind with orthodox thoughts about God, yet live a life unchanged. As obedient, passionate, and purpose-driven as I aim to be in my orthodoxy, I fail: I don’t enjoy and glorify God, serve my wife, love my son, pastor my sheep, or love my lost neighbors here in the un-churched San Francisco Bay Area as the Bible calls for me to do. I can’t do it. I need help. I need a Savior.
I’ve come to see that I need Jesus my Savior every single day of my Christian life. That’s the heart of orthodoxy, the heart of the Bible, the heart of the gospel: living this Christian life that brings glory to God and redemption to the world requires, pivots upon, the Savior. And that’s true not just for day one, but for every single day of the Christian life. I’m committed to humble orthodoxy because humble orthodoxy highlights my Savior. And without a humble, daily reliance upon Jesus, I can’t be orthodox. It’s taken me a long time to realize this. It’s going to take the rest of my life to apply this. By the grace of God, game on.
________________
Justin Buzzard serves on the pastoral team at Central Peninsula Church in California where he pastors the twentysomethings. According to Justin his mom reads his blog daily.